Trendy FC bucks the trend

Shares in fashion retailer French Connection soared 75p to 455p as results showed it is continuing to buck the gloomy High Street trend and chief executive Stephen Marks promised more to come this year.

>Profits for the year to end January jumped 27% to a record £10.4 million, on sales 25% higher at £117.3 million. Like-for-like sales were up by 11%. Current trading remains good and Marks says French Connection is entering the new year "with great optimism".

He said: "We can do the same thing this year and next. There's a lot to go for and we are going for it."

While the controversial fcuk advertising campaign remains at the core of the group's success, Marks said the key factor was the product range.

The fcuk slogan will soon be seen on underwear, watches, hoisery and skin-care, as the group further expands its licensing operations.